Question:
While praying Isha, we forgot to sit for the At-Tashahhud in the second rak‘ah. We remember it while praying the third rak‘ah. Now, should we sit in the third rak‘ah and recite the At-Tashahhud and then again sit in the final rak‘ah for At-Tashahhud? Or should we sit only in the last rak‘ah and recite the At-Tashahhud? What should be done?
Answer:
In a four-rak‘ah prayer, there is one sitting after two rak‘ahs and another sitting in the fourth rak‘ah. If someone stands up without sitting in the second rak‘ah, and if he realizes it immediately while rising—before fully moving into the next action—he can return and sit down. If he remembers at the moment of standing, before proceeding further, he may sit back down.
However, in his case, as soon as he stands in the third rak‘ah, he remembers that he did not sit in the second rak‘ah. Since he now remembers, should he go back and sit in that rak‘ah, or what should he do? That is what he is asking.
This very incident happened to the Prophetﷺ Muhammad (Alahis Salam). It is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1224. The Messengerﷺof Allahﷻ (Alahis Salam) once led us in prayer—one of the four-rak‘ah prayers. He prayed two rak‘ahs and then stood up without sitting after the second rak‘ah, even though one should sit there. The people followed him and stood up as well.
After he completed the prayer, when we were expecting him to give salam, before giving salam he said “Allahu Akbar” and performed two prostrations (sujood). While sitting, he performed the two prostrations, and then he gave salam.
So if you have already stood up in the third rak‘ah, that matter is over. It is finished. You only need to sit in the fourth rak‘ah. However, since a deficiency occurred, as a remedy for that deficiency, after reciting the At-Tashahhud and when it is time to give salam, instead of giving salam immediately, you should say “Allahu Akbar” and perform two prostrations of forgetfulness (Sujood as-Sahw). This is mentioned in Bukhari Hadith 1224. In Hadith 1220 it is described in detail as Dhuhr prayer. In 1225 also it is described as Dhuhr prayer. In both narrations, the same matter is mentioned: he did not sit in the second rak‘ah, and instead, at the end of the fourth rak‘ah, he performed Sujood as-Sahw. Since there is direct evidence, there is no possibility of difference of opinion in this matter.